Anxious about returning to work after breakdown

[Helenmaree46]

Hi everyone. I am returning to work in 2 weeks after taking 5 months off due to severe anxiety and panic attack. During this time I have been able to considerably lower anxiety and stop panic attacks. I'm returning to work in 2 weeks and am noticing the return of all the dreaded physical symptoms whenever I think about it. I don't want to go back and panic . Any helpful advice please .

[Not_Batman]

Hi Helenmaree46.

i can completely understand how you feel, as this exact thing happened to me. i had a couple of failed attempts of returning to work, but this was only a couple of weeks after my breakdown. Then i had 6 months off.
And your feeling are valid, as you have a fear of the unknown.

May i ask if you have some return to work plan with your employer? This will be very helpful in your return to work.

when i returned to work i wasn't sure what to expect. It took me a couple of months to ease back into things. But I've been back a couple of years, and i feel so much better having returned.

If you are seeing a counsellor, the feeling tou are having are certainly something to bring up with them.

returning to work can be daunting, but done right, and with help, it makes things a lot easier.

Not_Batman

[Cockroach]

Hi, Helen. The first thing I want to do is tell you that I can relate to your feelings of dread about being in a state of panic/extreme anxiety at work. It's a terrifying prospect and one that I face too often.

I'm not sure what your average work day looks like but, the best thing I can do for myself on those days is to plan my time. My best chance for getting through the day is to have a long list of tasks planned. I finish one, I move on to the next one. I try to avoid giving myself time to sit and worry.

If it is possible for you with the work you do, perhaps you can start with a plan. Perhaps you could ask your manager to assist you with this at the start of your shift.

I hope this helps and I wish you all the strength in the world.

[KSM]

I have been reading through several posts as I am new here, and not sure what I was looking for exactly but this thread spoke to me.

I am currently off work due to a significant flare of anxiety and to a lesser extent, depression. Has been almost 2 weeks now.

I work for a very small business and I know how important my role is, and how much me not being there impacts the others, which only seems to be making my anxiety worse.

I am also worried about money, taking leave without pay is never easy, but that worry also impacts my anxiety.

I feel like regardless of how much I work on myself, I am going to push myself back to work sooner than I should and just end up in this hole again.

Am contenplating requesting a 4 day work week for a few weeks to help keep myself on track, but again, I worry about money.

I love my job but am also worried about being judged when I do return as no one really seems to understand what I am going through even when I explain myself.

I hold myself to high standards and can be quite emotional, so I am really worried about how to handle returning to work even after what has been a short period. I am not sure when I will go back, I wanted to be back today but no sleep and anxiety being 11/10 has kept me home, again.

[Guest_206]

Hi KSM,
I've just come across your post and completely understand your worry about returning to work following time off for mental health - I've had to do it a few times. I wish there was no stigma but unfortunately we are not completely free of it.
I also hear you about holding yourself to high standards - I can be a bit of a perfectionist which is not helpful when we are also trying to recover from mental health concerns.
Can I ask, are you getting treatment during this time off? Is there someone you can speak to about how to transition back to work in a way that will work for you?

[Petal22]

Hello KSM,

I understand completely how anxiety can make you feel, I had OCD it was a very severe anxiety.... I have now recovered...

Are you receiving professional help for your anxiety?
I seeked help ... I was given many strategies to help me with my anxiety.....

im sure with the correct help you will learn how to cope with your anxiety..... you will get better 😊

[geoff]

Hello KSM, I'm also very sorry for the situation you're in, but can I ask you a question to begin with, I wonder whether or not your anxiety and depression was caused by your work environment.

Hope to hear back from you when you are available.

Best wishes.

Geoff.